New boxing club South Durham Amateur Boxing Club have enjoyed an exceptional first season in the ring.

And their success on the circuit was well beyond the dreams of owner Jeff Saunders, who revamped the old scout hut in Fishburn, County Durham.

Saunders opened up the gym last September with the assistance of Alan Robinson, who jumped at the chance to help his old boxing pal.

The two have enjoyed a great working relationship since starting to coach and plan the welfare of the youngsters.

The pair have coached two North-East championship runners-up, two Northern Counties champions and winners of the Novice ABA senior championship.

South Durham were invited to box in the Bolton Cox Cup in April and they came home with two golds. Jeff Saunders got the 32k medal and Carl Thompson scooped in the 57k category. There were also three silver medals for Robbie Wilkinson (46k), Paul Warner (81k) and Brian Robinson (91k).

After travelling to Bolton the club went to Derbyshire in the quarter-finals and Bethnal Green, London, with Bradley Saunders, son of the coach in the semi-finals. Bradley won and now goes forward to the Junior ABA finals at Bridlington tomorrow.

The club have also been invited to Huddersfield on September 16 for the first boxing tournament ever in the new £2.5m sports complex.

The South Durham outfit are also hoping to have a sportsman's dinner to show their thanks to the parents of the boxers.

The newly-formed club's successful first year was largely down to the backing from the local community.

Sedgefield School have given the boxers a multi-gym; May Day Support gave a cheque for £75; and the parish council of Fishburn gave the club £500.